Dublin Racing Festival: Templegate’s tips include ‘brilliant’ Willie Mullins star who looks unstoppable on day one

DAY one of the Dublin Racing Festival – and what an absolute blockbuster it looks like being!

It’s four Grade 1s in quick succession to start – and a possible Willie Mullins clean sweep.

PAWill Willie Mullins clean up on day one of the Dublin Racing Festival from Leopardstown?[/caption]

The Closutton supremo has a plethora of top-class equine talent at his fingertips.

And with just under six weeks to go until Cheltenham Festival, they will almost certainly be getting their final runs before the big one.

Here, Templegate gives his verdict on each and every race on day one.

LEOPARDSTOWN

1.20

AMERICAN MIKE was too bad to be true at Navan and will be much better here.

He was second in the Champion Bumper and looked a nice prospect when winning on his hurdles debut.

Good Land sluiced in here last time when going from the front. That was just his second hurdles run so there’s more to come.

Sandor Clegane had 12 lengths in hand at Punchestown and didn’t break sweat. He is a proven stayer who will be in the mix.

Weveallbeencaught comes over from England after winning at Cheltenham and can pay his boat fare by hitting the frame.

1.55

LOSSIEMOUTH has been brilliant so far with Graded wins at Fairyhouse and here last time out.

That has made her hot favourite for next month’s Triumph Hurdle and she can take another step towards that prize.

Gala Marceau has talent too and chased home the tip here at Christmas. That was her first run for Willie Mullins and she may finish a bit closer to her stablemate this time.

Tekao is capable of better after winning a novice contest here. He did that on the bridle.

It’s asking a lot to topple the favourite but he could take the forecast spot.

2.30

APPRECIATE IT looks hard to beat after his 21-length cakewalk at Naas last time.

That kept up his 100 per cent record over fences after a good win at Punchestown on debut. He was a high-class hurdler and could eclipse that form as a chaser.

Stablemate Dysart Dynamo won by a distance on his first run over fences here at Christmas.

This is clearly a lot tougher but he’ll take a step forward and it will be interesting to see who makes the pace as both Mullins stars like to.

El Fabiolo was good at Fairyhouse but did make the odd error which will be exposed here in this company.

3.05

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS is hot favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and can show why here.

He hasn’t done a lot wrong since going over fences with three Grade 1s already on his CV.

He made an impressive comeback for Willie Mullins before Christmas when skipping around Punchestown on the bridle to win the John Durkan by 13 lengths.

He faces stronger opposition today but looks mighty hard to beat.

This will tell us plenty before Cheltenham as he tackles three miles for the first time over fences but he got it well as a hurdler.

Stattler looks the biggest danger as he stakes his own claim for Cheltenham glory. He won the National Hunt Chase last season after taking Grade 3 honours at Naas.

He looked a bit rusty when a close second at Tramore and can give his stablemate the most to think about.

Good old Kemboy keeps turning up and running well in these Grade 1s as he did in the Savills last time.

He will go from the front but is surely playing for nothing more than a place again.

Fury Road goes for Gordon Elliott. He ran well in the Savills but doesn’t look quite up to this standard. He could stop the Mullins 1-2-3 though.

3.40

MAXXUM was very impressive when winning in a big field here last time out.

He had all of 16 lengths to spare so even a hike in the weights may not be enough to stop Gordon Elliott’s hope.

Lucky Max scored nicely at Cork before another decent effort at Navan last time. He looks on a fair mark.

Blue Sari showed slightly better signs at Clonmel after a long break and should be spot on today.

4.10

FILS D’OUDAIRIES should be suited by the likely strong pace here after he finished well at Listowel last time.

He has had a little help from the handicapper and has Davy Russell on board switching back to fences.

Final Orders has been in brilliant form with four wins on the spin. He liked this course and distance last time and could still be ahead of the handicapper.

Rebel Gold was impressive at Fairyhouse and will be competitive again despite an 8lb rise.

4.40

FACT TO FILE didn’t have to hit top gear when winning on debut here last time out.

He only had to get going in the final furlong and gave the impression there is a lot more to come.

Fascile Mode is another who scored on debut and has more to offer. He showed lots of pace and can improve.

Better Days Ahead showed the benefit of his first run when scooting in at Fairyhouse and is another with plenty to offer.

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